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Boss: 'We Must Do Better'
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew has given a frank assessment of what his side must improve on next season
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Alan Pardew's message was simple following the final game of the 2012/13 campaign: 'We must do better'.
The Magpies boss watched his side lose 1-0 against Arsenal on Sunday as they ended the season 16th in the Barclays Premier League.
And as Pardew paid tribute to the Club's fans, who have packed out St. James' Park every home game and also travelled in great numbers all across Europe, he made no bones about what has to change next term.
"We get 52,000 here and we would probably get 52,000 if we were in the Championship," the manager told nufcTV.
"But that doesn't mean we should just accept that. We have to deliver better performances and a better commitment to games.
"We have to make sure that every point next year is gold dust, because they are - look what a point would have done for us from this match.
"You can never take the support for granted here."
Pardew was pleased with the performance of his side as they matched Champions League-chasing Arsenal for long periods in a game which was decided by Laurent Koscielny's second half effort.
"We looked a different side in the first half without the pressure on us, and the quality we showed in that half was terrific against a great Arsenal team, who were bang in form," he explained.
"If we had scored in that period then it would have been very difficult for Arsenal. But they had a good period after half-time, got the goal and then made it very difficult for us.
"As much as we tried to get through them - and Hatem had some nice moments - ultimately we couldn't get through them.
"We lost the game but in honour, really."
To watch Alan Pardew's full post-match nufcTV interview, click here